Hugo Ekitike transfer back on after PSG ‘deal done’ as West Ham United and Crystal Palace race for striker
Paris Saint-Germain are “talking” to both West Ham and Crystal Palace over an extremely late deal for Hugo Ekitike after they finally signed a replacement, according to Miguel Delaney.
The Independent journalist reported via Twitter on Friday night (1 September) that the French giants’ had been successful in landing Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt with the “deal done”, opening the door for Ekitike, 21, to go.
The corresponding update on the Independent website adds that the French striker could still go to either one of the Premier League clubs “tonight”, although the Eagles are currently the “presumed frontrunners”.
West Ham were making a sustained late push to sign the former Reims striker after failing with their pursuits in Brazil, and were said to be ready to pay £38.5million to land him.
Transfer deadline day was looking like it would end quietly but a late, late battle with a local rival is now on the cards.
Game on
It was starting to look like the end of the window might just fizzle out at the London Stadium and leave the club disappointed at a key position.
On the whole the late business at West Ham has left the squad looking reasonably good, but after sending Tim Steidten out to Brazil they were clearly serious about adding a late attacking name on top.
The door has opened at the 11th hour since PSG managed to get Kolo Muani in well time after the close of the German transfer window.
If West Ham are able to get this one over the line in the final hours before the deadline it would be a strong statement to end the summer.
After a season stuck behind the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi at the Parc des Princes Ekitike’s output was down on the season prior.
And it may be a risk to spend a huge fee on a young and relatively unproven forward, but all indications are that the recruitment department are very high on him.
So if he is the player they believe he can be it would strike a double-blow to land him, and get one over on Palace, although of course if Roy Hodgson comes out on top it would equally work the same in reverse.
In other West Ham news, the club have made a final decision on another £25million-rated signing after a pursuit spanning an entire year.